Brewery says cheers to new bottling plant (From Free Press Series)

Brewery says cheers to new bottling plant

CELEBRATING its 25th anniversary year, Magor Brewery recently launched a new £11million state-of-the-art bottling hall.

The new packaging facility forms part of a £15million investment in the brewery by Interbrew, owner of the Stella Artois lager brand, and has been part funded by a £3.3 million Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) grant awarded by the Welsh Assembly government.

The investment may have secured the long-term future of the plant which has faced closure on several occasions in a turbulent, 25-year history.

There are hopes that an internal investment may bring in a second line to the plant - to handle a different sized bottle - within the next two years. Andrew Davies, minister for economic development was at the official opening.

He said: "I have been to Bridgend to visit the Objective One project on the use of ICT (computer technology) and I've seen it in use in the bottling plant - it's is just mind-blowing.

"I recently met Dr Sam Bodman, the US deputy secretary of commerce, who was involved with a chemicals company called Cabot Corporation which has a base near Cardiff.

"He told me that: 'Investing in Wales was the best decision we ever made because the workforce is the most skilful and adaptable of all our sites'."

Mr Davies added that Interbrew's decision to invest at Magor was a tremendous vote of confidence in Wales as a place to do business.

Earlier, Magor factory director Alan Fernandes said he wanted the site to become a "benchmark brewery" for the company.

Mr Davies said he wanted the Assembly to likewise become a "benchmark government" for its collaboration with industry and wealth creation.

Mr Fernandes had also pointed out the tough times the Magor site had faced in the past (it was owned by Whitbread for most of its history) and now "being the best offers some protection although there are no guarantees".

He said Magor would achieve its benchmarks through technical excellence; engaging its employees to "own the equipment", and keeping a strong "housekeeping mindset" (in other words taking pride in the workplace).